Computing-scale.



H. A. MYERS.

COMPUTING SCALE.

APPLICATION min Nov. s. |913.

Patented Oct. 8, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

ll LBS .Il .35 .46 57 .681 .47mm

Mlm?" MW .4 TTOHNEY H. A. MYERS. COMPUTlNG SCALE;

APPLICAMTION FILED NOV. 6.1913- Patented Oct. 8, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Fil-3 4 H. A. MYERS.

COMPUTING SCALE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 6| I9I3.

1,280,815. Patented oet. 8, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNiTED sTATEs PATENT oEEioE.

HUBERT A. MYERS, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, ASSIOrNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGN-MENTS, TO TOLEDO SCALE COMPANY, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, Ay CORPORATION 0F NEW JERSEY.

COMPUTING-SCALE.

Patented oet. s, 1918.

Application iled November 6, 1913. Serial` No. 799,429.

T0 all whom z't may concern.' v Be it known that I, HUBERT A. MYERS, acitizen of the United States of America, residing at ToledofLucascounty, Ohio, have invented new and useful Computing-Scales, of whichthe following, is a specification.

,This invention relates to computing andl recording mechanism especiallyadapted for use withy weighing scales, and designed to determine andrecord weights, values, etc., Where arbitrary changes can' readily `beeffected between the weights and values, the value or price 'to bedetermined having no direct relation tothe weight, as', for example inparcelpost rate computations. This invention has for its/principal ob-"ject to provide simple and eficient mechanism for recording, computing,and allowing the arbitrary selection of various rato computations to beutilized in connection with the weight determining mechanism of aweighing scale so that the postal rate in any given Zone for a parcel ofpreviously unknown weight can be clearly indicated and recorded.

Other objects will readily appear from the hereinafter detaileddescription, it being understood that while especially adapted for usein parcel' ost work, this invention will be found use l and may beemployed in various other applications, and that many variations,modifications and changes may be made therein Without departing from thespirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims. Referenceis to be had to VVthe accompanying drawings illustrating a preferredform of my invention, and wherein\'similar reference numerals designatesimi.-

lar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings:-

Figure 1 is a front elevation with parts broken away of the device asincorporated for parcel ostscale use; Fig. 2 is a front elevation o thedevice shown in Fig. 1; Fig.- 3 is aside elevation with parts brokenaway; Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 and showing a portion of themechanism in enlarged detail Fig 5 is a detail view of the,oneway/ drivefor the strip-carrier; Fig. 6 is a detail view on an enlarged scale ofthe price mechanism limit determination for driving taken on the line6-6 of Fig. l and looking in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 7 is asectional view taken on the line77 of Fig. 6; Fig. 8

Vof the member 8. (See Fig. 7).

carry thev bar 4: across the indicator cha-rt 5 to disclose the weightofthe commodity on the` platform 2. y

This weighing mechanism may be of any desired type.

It has been found advantageous to also in clude in combination with thisweighing mechanism of tHhe scale mechanism for computing and suitablyrecording the amount of postage required under the postal regu*- lationsto carry tlieparcel which is beingweighed any given distance, and suchmechanism will now be described, it being again noted that in many ofsuch computationsv the price or amount of postage required bears nodirect relation to the Weight of the parcel, but has been arbitrarilyselected by proper authorities as being a proportionate compensation forthe service performed.

In the embodiment of the invention herein shown relatively arbitraryprice determining mechanism is inclosed within theA housing of thescale. Because ot the arbitrary relation the selection of the price orrate applicable in jeach particular case isV manually made by shiftingthe knob 6 to bring its pointer 7 central of the zone on the indicatorchart' that is required in each case. By shifting the knob 6 the member8 connected to travel therewith is laterally moved, said member 8carrying the toothed wheels 9, `10, 11 meshing with the rack-bars 12,13, 14,'Which rack bars are vertically guided in their movement of theside walls The lower end of each of the rack bars 12, 13 fand 14 isformed with a stepped cam 63, and /tlie vertical movement of said rackbars and their cams from their normal raised 'position causes the inwardmovement of the springf pressed bars 66, the spring 65 encircling thebars 66 yieldingly maintaining the heads 64` thereof in contact with thestepped cams 63.

(See Fig. 6). i

One spring-pressed bar is provided for each of the stepped cams 63. Theinward movement of these bars 66 continues until the inner end of eachbar contacts with the stop member 69 which is arbitrarilyplaced in thepath of travel of each bar 66 in any of the slots or openings 68 in thedesired row or tier in the column 51, the row or tier beineautomatically selected through the weigiing mechanism of the scale, aswill be hereinafter more fully described.

The column 51 comprises an oblong box-L like member having a. series ofvertically alined tiers or shelves with apertures 67 arranged to permitaccess to each of said shelves. (See Fig. 1). On each of the verticaltiers there is provided a series of horizontally alined apertures, eachof said horizontal apertures being in proper alinement with one of thezones indicated on the chart 5, so that the movement of the knob 6 andits attached member 8 brings the spring-pressed bars 66 into position toenter whichever of the horizontal apertures in any of the tiers of thecolumn 51 that is desired in each particular case, the aperture 67 beingof sufficient width to receive the three bars 66, a's shown in Fig. 7.The vertical tier of the column 51 is governed by the weight of theparcel placed on the platform 2 of the scale, the weighing mechanismoperating tol offset the weightof the parcel and in so doing lowers themembers 50 (shown\in dotted lines in Fig. 3), simultaneously loweringthe column 51 which is suitably secured to the members 50. It will Y beevident that the greater the weight of the parcel the farther will thecolumn 51 descend. lVithin each of the apertures 67 are arranged aplurality of alined slots or openings 68 (see Fig. 7) of suiicient widthto receive three of the stop members 69', the stop members beingarbitrarily placed within any slot of the series'and one of said stopmembers being arranged to block the path of travel of each of thespring-pressed bars 66, as clearly shown in Fig. 7. The placing of thestop members 69 isdesigned to be in accordance with the prices necessaryfor any given zone at the weight which when placed on the platform 2will bring any particular tier of openings 67 into alinement with thebars 66.

The desired zone having been selected by the shifting of the knob 6, andthe required tier brought `into proper alinement through the weighingmechanism of the scale the mechanism for computing the price or raterequired for the parcel on the scale platformis set and will be broughtinto operation for indication and recording upon movement of the handlever or arm 25 as will be hereinafter described.

In the device as herein disclosed, a printed' slip or special stamp, saysupplied as a strip 15 from a roll, may be fui'nislied. This strip 15 isshown as fed between the pair of rollers 16 and drawn by the roller 17opposing the roller 18. Thence the strip may pass over the printingorimpressing plate 19 where it may be printed, embossed or perforated, sayby the device indication or identification, for instance, a postalstation number. l

As pasksing over a roller 20 each progression may be regarded as a unitto be tallied up in counting the numberl of stamps put out by thestation. The guide roller 21 then `directs the strip directly over the.adjacent rollers 22, 23, 24, carrying type for impressing or marking onthe strip respectively the dollars, dimes and cents.

With the desired zone selected by the shifting of the knob 6 and thescale acting to determine the weight of the parcel or commodity, the arm25 may be pulled forward for full stroke action. The arm 25 is mountedon the shaft 26 which carries the toothed segment 27 in mesh withthegear 28 loosely mounted on the shaft 29. Fast on the shaft 26 is theeccentric 30 engaged by a link 31 effective to force the block 32 towardthe plate 19 to effect the impression therefrom on the under side of thestrip.

During the latter portion of the pull for-I ward of the arm 25 thesegment 27 is in mesh with the toothed wheel 33. Upon release of thehandle 25 after the full pull forward, the spring 31 above the shaft 26returns the arm 25, as well as the shaft 26 and the segment 27, to theinitial position. On this return travel the pawl 35 carried by the wheel33 is forced by the spring 36 into driving engagement with the ratchetwheel 37 fast on the shaft 38, on which shaft 38 the wheel 33 is looselymounted, thereby partially rotating the shaft 38 and the roller 17mounted thereon to advance the strip 15. The length of the return driveof the wheel 33 is gaged by the segment 27 to be the feed distance forthe strip 15 as determined by the stamp o1" slip, length desired. Thestrip feed is Veffected by the roller 17 fast on the shaft 38.

lIt may be advantageous to count and record the number of advances ofthe strip 15, printing the number, of each sli thereon as it is issued.In the present em odiment. this counting is accomplished by the pawl 39on the segment 27. engaging the ratchet wheel 40 fast on the shaft 29during the return travel of the segment 27 and the arm mark the stripwhile held in contact by the opposing roller- 44. For indication of uponthe shaft 61.

the counting, the shaft 29 carries the gear 45 in mesh with a similargear 46y on the sleeve 47 carrying the counting disks 48 driven by thegear 46 and displaying number total of weighings or stamps through thekopening 49 in the scale housing (Fig. 2),

For indicating the total' weight oi the parcels weighed on the scale,the platform 2 through the weighing mechanism of the scale moves the`member 50 carrying the columnl from which extends the bar 52 holding theratchet bar 53 by the springs 54 yieldably against the ratchet wheel 55lined yto drive the weight totalizing disks 56 on the shaft 57, thetotal being visible through the opening 58 in the scale housing.

During the pull forward of the arm 25' the price or rate determiningmechanism is driven by the segment 59 fast with the gear wheel 28loosely mounted on the shaft 29.

The segment 59 is mesh with the pinion 60 loosely mounted don the shaft-61 but having friction sleeve extensions 62 for yieldably drivingthevtype-carrying price-.recording disks 22, 23, 24. The disk 22 isJfast on the shaft 61 on which is splined the toothed `wheel 11 (seeFig. 8). ingly, as the disk 22 is urged to rotate,

y, through the'yieldable transmission 62, the shaft 61 causes the wheel11 to drive the rack bar 14 downward. In its travel downi ward, thisrack bar carries withA it its stepped cam 63 to force the head 64against the resistance of the Ispring 65 to move the bar 66 against thelimit stop member 69 as arbitrarily set therefor in the desired. slot 68in the desired tier in the column 51, as previously pointed out. Themovement of the bar -66 is terminated when its inner end contacts withthe stop member 69 placed in its path of travel, the head 64 thereofpreventing further downward travel of theK rack bar 14, locking theltoothed wheel 11 meshing therewith, continued rotation of the disk 22being prevented because'oit the locking of thentoothed wheel 11, theyieldable gearing "62 taking upvfurther driving movement. The sleeve 70connected to the disk 23 is splined to idieusleeve71 engaging of thetype carrying disks is similarly de-k Accordtermined. The particularopening into which the bars 66 are to be .f0rced is determined b thedownward travel -of the column 51 in its step-by-,step movement asgoverned by the platform load, while the ing for such weight. The stops69 disposed inthe several openings 68 in accordance with the chart 5determine the price in units, tens and hundreds. For totalizing theamount of the rates printed on the several slips issued, thecountershaft 74 (Fig. 10) is provided with gears andsleeves foryieldably driving the counting disks 7 5 on the shaft 57 from the disks22, 23 and 24 to give' indication through" the opening 76 (Fig. 2).

,For printing or otherwise recording the amoiint for each slip as fixedby type disk travel, the segment 59 carries the lug 77 engaging theplunger 78 for lifting the same by contacting the projection 79 thereon.As the lug 77 passes the projection 7 9, the plunger 78 is forceddownward by the spring 80 and has its after edge 8l sever the strip,

while the force of the blow producesthe desired clear impression ofvalue from the type positioned on the disks below the strip.- The returnmovement of the segment 59 is permitted by the springs 82 allowing theplunger to be forced out of line of the travel of the lug 77. rlliismovement starts the strip down the chute 83 to be drawnbetween therollers 84, 85 as driven by the belt 86 from the shaft 29. The return/travel of the segment 59 permits the racks 12, 13, 14 to return to theirinitial raised positions, the coil springs 87 sustained from the upperportion of the member 8 assisting in raising these racks and maintainingthem` in their normal elevated positions.

.This permits the spring 65 to withdraw the rods 64 from the openings 67in the column 51 as limited bythe stops 88 carried by the rods., Thedevice is then in position for a second weighing and computing. The

(shifting of the knob 6 selects the Zone openone-way 'transmission onthe shaft 74 allows recovery of the disks 22, 23, 24 to zero position,but vpermits the totalizing disks 75 to vremain unchanged.

What is claimed and it is desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the character described, a weight-determiningmechanism, relatively arbitrary price determining mechanism cooperatingtherewith, shiftable selecting means for positioning the mechanismsrelatively to each other and carrying a plurality of stepped bars, andrecording means actuated from one of said determining mechanisms forrecording the price determined by the coperation of said mechanisms.

2. In a device of the character describech a wei vht determiningmechanism. relatively shifta le price determining mechanism co- Ciloperating therewith and carrying a plurality of stepped bars, means forrecording theprice determined by the coperation of said mechanisms, anddriving means for one of said mechanisms effecting recording byactuation of the recording means.

3. A parcel post computing device embodying Weight determiningmechanism, selectable price determining mechanism cooperating therewithand 'including a plurality or" shiftable stepped bars, recording meansfor recording the price determined by the cooperation of saidmechanisms, and driving means for one of the mechanisms eiiectingrecording of the price for the Weight determined.

el. fi parcel post stamp producing device embodying Weight determiningmechanism, selectable price determining mechanism cooperating therewithand "including a plurality or" shiiztable stepped bars, a strip-carrier,recording means for recording the price determined by the cooperation ofsaid mechanisms, land driving means cro-acting with the strip-carrier,recording means,and one of said mechanisms.

5. i parcel post stamp producing device embodying. Weight determiningmechanism, price determinino mechanism cooperating therewitn andincluding a plurality of shiftable. stepped bars, iveig t totalizeractuated from the Weight determining mechanism, and driving means forthe price deermining mechanism.

6. stamp producing de vice embodying `weight determining mechanism,price determining mechanism cooperating therewith and including aplurality oi shiitable` stepped bars, weight totaliaer actuated from theWeight determining mechanism, driving means the price determiningmechanism, and rice totalizing means actuated from the p-- e determiningmechanism.

l. ln a device ci the character described, a Weight mechanism,selectable price determining mechanism cooperating therewith andincluding a plurality or shiftable stepped bars, recording means `toreiiecting recording ci the price determined, driving means For theprice-determining mechanism and ie recording means, a totalizerior theprice determining mechanism actuated by said driving means.

8. ln a device ci the character described, a Weight detern'iiningmechanism, selectable pricev determining mechanism coperating therewithand including a plurality or shiftable stepped bars,vrecording means foreiiecting recording of the price determined, a totalizer for the pricedetermining mechanism,

and driving means for one of the mechanisms arranged toV actuate saidrecording means and said totalizer.

9. ln a device oithe character described,

ra Weight determining mechanism, adjustable price determining mechanismadapted to coperate therewith and including a. plurality of shift'ablestepped bars, ,drivmg means for actuating the price determiningmechanism, and means for recording the price determined, said meansbeing actuated by the driving means.

l0. In a device of the character described, a Weight determiningmechanism, adjustable price determining mechanism adapted to cooperatetherewith and including a plurality `of shitable stepped bars, drivingmeans for of shittable stepped bars, driving means for actuating theprice determining mechanism, means actuated by the driving mea-ns forrecording the price determined, and a counter for indicating the numberof prices determined.

l2. In a device of the character described, a Weight determiningmechanism, adjustable price determining mechanism adapted to .cooperatetherewith, and including a plurality of shiftable stepped bars, drivingmeans for actuating the price determining mechanism, means actuated bythe driving means for recording the price determined, and means iorcounting and recording the number of prices determined, said means beingactuated from said driving means.

13. In combination with a Weight determiningmechanism, price determiningmechanism including a member having a plurality of vertical tiers ofhorizontally alined openings'therein, automatic means for selecting oneot' the vertical tiers, and manually operated means for selecting one ofthe horizontal openings in the selected tier.

ld. In combination with a Weight determining mechanism, pricedetermining mechanism including a member having a plurality or" verticaltiers of horizontally alincd openings therein, automatic means forselecting one of the vertical tiers, and manually operated means forselecting one of the horizontal openings in the selected tier, priceindicating mechanism, and means for actuating said price indicatingmechanism after said automatic and 4manual selections have been made.

15. In combination with a Weight determining'mechanism, pricedetermining mechanism including a member having a plurality of verticaltiers of horizontally alined openings therein, automatc means forselecting one of the vertical tiers, and manually oper- .openingstherein, automatic means for selecting one oi thevertical tiers, andmanually operatedrmeans for selecting one of the horizontal openings inthe selected tier, price indicating mechanism, price recordingmechanism, and means for actuating theprice indicating and pricerecording mechanism after the said automatic and manual selections havebeen made.

17. In a device of the character described, weight detern'iini'ngmechanism, price determining mechanism cooperating therewith, andincludinga member having a plurality of vertical tiers ofhorizontally-alinedT openings therein, means actuated b'y the weightdetermining mechanism for adjusting said member-,to bring one of thehorizontally-alined openings therein in operative position, manuallyoperated means for adjusting the price determining mechanism withrelation to the vertical tiers, and driving-means for actuating theprice determining mechanism after said adjust` ments have been made.

18. In a device of the character described,o weight det rmininmechanism, price determining mechanism coperating therewith, andincludin a member having a plurality of verticall tiers ofhorizontallyalined openings therein, and a plurality of alined slotsarranged behind each of said openings, removable stop members insertiblein any of said slots, means actuated by the weight determining mechanismfor adjusting said member to bring one of the horizontally-alinedopenings therein in operative position, manually operated means foradjusting the price determining mechanism with relation to the verticaltiers, and driving means for actuating the price determining mechanismafter adjustments have been made.

19. In combination with a Weight-determining mechanism,price-determining mechanism including a, member having a plurality ofhorizontally alined openings therein, shiftable selecting means carryinga plurality of stepped bars, and means for actuating theprice-determining mechanism aterithe selection has been made.

20. In combination with a weight-determining mechanism, n, pricedetermining mechanism including a member having a plurality of verticaltiers of horizontal openings therein, shiftable selecting means carryinga plurality of stepped bars, and means for actuating theprice-determining mechanism after the selection has been made. i

In witness whereof I aiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

HUBERT A. MYERS.

Witnesses:

GEO. E. KIRK, .GLADYS JAMESON.

